The recent strike by the Israeli military that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza has sparked outrage and intensified resistance among congressional Democrats to providing arms and military funding to Israel. This backlash has thrown a pending foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel into uncertainty, as Democrats call for a halt to offensive weapons transfers to Israel until a full investigation into the strike is completed.
The $14.1 billion aid package requested by President Biden for Israel’s conflict with Hamas was initially seen as a bipartisan measure to sweeten a larger spending package that includes $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine. However, the recent events have shifted the dynamics, with Democrats expressing displeasure with the administration’s approach to Israel.
A group of forty House Democrats, led by Representative Nancy Pelosi, sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken urging them to reconsider authorizing new arms transfers to Israel and to tie any future aid to conditions ensuring compliance with U.S. and international law. This rebuke marks one of the largest criticisms of Biden’s Israel policy by his allies in Congress since the conflict began.
Progressive Democrats, including Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, have been vocal in their opposition to the administration’s stance on Israel and Gaza, calling for an end to all forms of support to Israel. This frustration has spread beyond the far-left wing of the party, with Senator Chris Coons stating that he would support placing conditions on aid to Israel if civilian casualties continue to rise.
The mounting discontent among Democrats could further delay the stalled security spending package, which has faced opposition from Republicans over the Ukraine funding. Speaker Mike Johnson plans to bring up the package in the coming weeks, but will need substantial Democratic support to pass it through the House.
As calls for restrictions on aid to Israel grow louder, President Biden has threatened to condition future support on how Israel addresses concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, has lobbied for quick approval of emergency military aid, emphasizing the need for tools to finish the job faster amidst the ongoing conflict.
The debate over aid to Israel is likely to continue as Democrats grapple with how to balance support for a key ally with concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian issues in the region. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for U.S. policy towards Israel and the Middle East as a whole.
